Biography
Sacred Reich formed in Phoenix, Arizona, as an American thrash metal unit that fused politically driven lyrics, personal convictions, and biting satire with a ferocious, unyielding sound. In the late 1980s the quartet emerged at the forefront of the genre’s second wave, sharing the spotlight with Testament, Death Angel, Destruction, and Dark Angel. The group delivered a series of socially conscious speed-metal statements through the crushing full-lengths Ignorance (1987), The American Way (1990), Independent (1993), and Heal (1996) before dissolving in 2000. Early in 2018 the band signed with Metal Blade, paving the way for the long-awaited fifth studio album Awakening, which appeared in 2019.
Phil Rind (bass and vocals), guitarists Jeff Martinek and Jason Rainey, and drummer Greg Hall established the outfit in 1985. Wiley Arnett stepped in for Martinek on lead guitar prior to the 1987 Hollywood Records debut Ignorance, which showcased the band’s trademark blend of technical firepower and pointed political commentary. Political themes persisted across the 1988 EP Surf Nicaragua and the 1989 live EP Alive at the Dynamo, setting the stage for the uncompromising second album The American Way in 1990. Another EP, A Question, followed in 1991. Independent arrived in 1993, introducing a heavier, groove-oriented direction and marking the first recordings with drummer Dave McClain, who had replaced Greg Hall the previous year. The same lineup recorded Heal for Metal Blade in 1996. McClain departed in 1997 to join Machine Head, prompting Hall’s return; Hall performed on the 1997 concert album Still Ignorant before the band officially ended activities in 2000.
Sacred Reich reconvened in 2006 for several European shows, highlighted by an appearance at Wacken Open Air, though the members made no immediate plans to record. They announced their first North American tour in more than twenty years in 2017. By 2019 the lineup of Rind, Arnett, McClain, and guitarist Joey Radziwill delivered the long-gestating fifth studio album Awakening.
Phil Rind (bass and vocals), guitarists Jeff Martinek and Jason Rainey, and drummer Greg Hall established the outfit in 1985. Wiley Arnett stepped in for Martinek on lead guitar prior to the 1987 Hollywood Records debut Ignorance, which showcased the band’s trademark blend of technical firepower and pointed political commentary. Political themes persisted across the 1988 EP Surf Nicaragua and the 1989 live EP Alive at the Dynamo, setting the stage for the uncompromising second album The American Way in 1990. Another EP, A Question, followed in 1991. Independent arrived in 1993, introducing a heavier, groove-oriented direction and marking the first recordings with drummer Dave McClain, who had replaced Greg Hall the previous year. The same lineup recorded Heal for Metal Blade in 1996. McClain departed in 1997 to join Machine Head, prompting Hall’s return; Hall performed on the 1997 concert album Still Ignorant before the band officially ended activities in 2000.
Sacred Reich reconvened in 2006 for several European shows, highlighted by an appearance at Wacken Open Air, though the members made no immediate plans to record. They announced their first North American tour in more than twenty years in 2017. By 2019 the lineup of Rind, Arnett, McClain, and guitarist Joey Radziwill delivered the long-gestating fifth studio album Awakening.
Albums
Awakening
2019
The American Way
2009
Ignorance & Surf Nicaragua
2007
Still Ignorant (1987-1997) Live
1997
Heal
1996
Independent
1993
Surf Nicaragua
1988
Ignorance
1987
Singles
Live
